The Eminence in Shadow (陰の実力者になりたくて！)

I fell asleep reading?

(Find Darwin Vol. 3)

My lady.

Never mind.

Let's go.

Good morning. Nishino-san.

Good morning.

Good morning. Senpai.

Hello. Good morning.

There is a boy I do not like.

Good morning. Kageno-kun.

Lower-middle grades. Lower-middle athletic ability.

He looks like the most mediocre one.

Good morning. Nishimura-san.

Hey, Kageno-kun.

What is it, Nishimura-san?

My family name... is not Nishimura, you see...

My family name... is not Nishimura, you see...

It's not Nishimura.

Oh, I got it wrong?

Yes. My family name is...

Ah. One sec. I've recalled it.

You're a named character.

Named?

Oh, that's my problem.

I've memorized the names of all key figures.

I don't get enough sleep lately, so it seems some escaped me.

You didn't remember... I see.

We're in the same class, and I've been sitting next to you for three months. Three months!

It's OK. Everyone makes mistakes.

Yeah. Sorry.

Nishitani-san.

It's not Nishitani!

It's Nishino.

It's Nishino. Eh?

Eh?

My name is Akane Nishino.

Oh. See you, Nishimura-san.

It's Nishino! You even went back to Nishimura!?

The least forgivable thing he did is not constantly mistaking my name

but the fact that he's not looking at me.

Though his eyes are sometimes turned in my way,

he's always looking beyond me, at something else.

When I noticed that, I became completely sick of him.

Akane, you star in the drama aired next Monday at 21:00, right?

You're amazing!

How many dramas have you starred in so far?

You've been progressing even faster than the last year.

Actually, now I'm almost dying of nervousness.

I will definitely watch it.

I tried my best not to get involved with Kageno-kun.

I actually wanted to completely ignore him...

But for a reason, I chose not to do it so obviously.

20,553... 20,554... 20,...

When I was in middle school,

I once paused my acting career due to a scandal.

Ever since that incident,

I began to put on a mask.

Nucleus... The limit of living beings...

(The energy generation is 8 million times that of petroleum.)

More... power...

Well, the aggregation of School Festival questionnaires shall be entrusted to...

Ah. Ma'am, please leave it to me!

Oh, but you'll be having supplementary lessons next, right?

You've been getting busier and busier lately.

That's a lovable aspect of Akane, I'd say.

Oh, please. Don't laugh at me too much.

So, the aggregation will be left to... you, next to her, OK?

OK.

Come on. Time for club activities.

How about stopping by Yotsugoshi on our way back?

To be favored by teachers, I became an honor student.

To be favored by classmates, I became popular.

I've been making efforts to be favored by everyone.

That's the lifestyle I kept until today.

He doesn't pick it up...

This is the first time I walk back home since that incident.

Are you Akane Nishino?

Why? Why!?

This again!?

No...

Hey, stop struggling.

It finally kicked in.

Good, take her inside the car now.

Don't order me, you outsider.

You made a mistake.

The young lady of Nishino Conglomerate went out at night alone.

You were asking bad guys to kidnap you, you know?

Behave yourself. The ransom note has been sent.

As long as they pay, we'll let you go.

Ostensibly, it's supposed to be so.

But your father has made many enemies, you know?

Shut it.

Huh?

You're just an outsider. Stop putting on airs in front of me.

I said shut it. You outdated hooligan.

You just irritated me...

Finally, my luck is on the turn but it's ruined.

Cheer me a little bit, will ya?

It's called fan service. Let's start with your cute mouth...

Don't you try to resist!

You've been used to this, haven't you?

This is the second time you're kidnapped.

The previous kidnapper was a stalker, right?

I'll give you a much better time than that dipshit.

Just quit struggling. No one will come...

What... No, who!?

Damn it... Who the hell are you?

Me?

I'm just a... Stylish Thug Slayer.

Stylish... Thug Slayer?

Come off it, you prick!

Too many extra moves. Weak spots everywhere.

Impressive. You're quite a capable one.

Stylish Thug Slayer.

Since being expelled from the army, I've been so bored.

Kidnapping simple-minded little girls. Teaming up with nasty low-life.

This country is too peaceful.

Is that so? That's perfect. I always wanted to fight with a soldier.